Hilton Head SC is located about 90 miles south of Charleston and 20 miles north of Savannah and is the site of miles of great Atlantic Coast beachfront and tourism throughout most of the year. An estimated 2.25 million visitors come to the area each year, particularly during the peak summer season. The island is also home to many endangered species of birds and other animals, including the Leatherback turtle.

The islands first occupants were indigenous Native Americans and the area was not extensively populated until the Sea Island Cotton Trade between Europe and the United States. The first recorded expedition to the area took place in 1521 and was led by Francisco Cordillo. In 1663 Captain William Hilton passed through the area during his expedition from Barbados and named the area after himself.

A few years after the Sea Island Cotton Trade, the area served as an important base of operations for the Union blockade of Southern ports during the Civil War. A large Union hospital was built on Hilton Head, and became one of the most prominent in the area. Once the island came under the control of the North, many former slaves settled in the area. Descendants of these freed slaves are known as native islanders or the Gullah. Many of their ancestors served in the First Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers, which promised volunteers the opportunity to buy land, go to school, and live in government housing in a community on the island called Mitchelville.

Hilton Head SC was the site of an experimental steam cannon set up to guard Port Royal Sound in the early 1990′s, and in 1931, the famed Wall Street tycoon and physicist Alfred Lee Loomis purchased over 63 percent of the total landmass of the island to use as a private game reserve. This land remained relatively undeveloped until the early 1950′s, when three lumber mills were built on the island and, consequently, the James F. Byrnes Bridge was erected in 1956. This provided greater access to the island and the population quickly expanded. At this time same time, architect Charles Fraser developed Sea Pines Resort and the famous Harbour Town. Fraser was a committed environmentalist, and his legacy of sustainable development continues to this day.

Hilton Head SC is an area rich in natural beauty and history. There are many museums and historical sites open to the public that you can visit during your next Hilton Head Island vacation.

West Virginia is a state in USA, which is denoted as WV. It has quite a colorful background history with it. As per many artifacts there are evidences of a great number of Indians residing in West Virginia especially in the small city living set up. This was before 17th century. However, there were explorers who claim that there were more than the estimated Indians who lived in West Virginia but died because of the natural calamities or possibly tribal wars. French and British colonizers, since 1600, have claimed and explored West Virginia. In fact the state gets it name from the queen of Britain, Queen Elizabeth I. She was also known as “Virgin Queen” and hence the name Virginia was given.

WV was part of Virginia and was part of the United States since 1776. It broke off from Virginia as a result of the issue of slavery and the civil war. With Boreman being the first governor, West Virginia became an independent 35th state. West Virginia could be located just below Ohio and Pennsylvania. At the same time it touches Kentucky’s border from the northeastern end.

Appalachia Mountain Range circumferences the WV because of which at times the state is also addressed as – the mountain state. This is the reason in case you are planning to visit West Virginia as a vacationing option you could enjoy hiking and mountain biking. In fact, while you are browsing thorough the Internet or looking out for vacation packages, you should accommodate some time for mountain biking and hiking. Going to WV and not enjoying any of these two sports would be like diving in the sea and not getting wet. There would be special packages that could be availed at economic prices only for mountain biking and hiking.

As per the 2004 survey, Kanawha County with the population of 195,218 residents was the most densely populated county of the West Virginia. Amongst that Charleston city alone had 51,685 residents. Charleston city is not only the capital of West Virginia but also the largest one of Kanawha County. The Charleston city has the dominance of non-Hispanic and the white people. About 5%-10% of the population would be of Asian-Indian, American-Indian, Hispanic and Black.

Clearly, West Virginia stands distinctive because of the history. It has seen quite a bit under the French and British colonizers. The traces of the same could be seen in the buildings and architecture as well, with whatever is left of it. The state has seen the conflicts and has tolerated the boundaries between the Eastern and Western Virginia. May be the state of Virginia would have been doing well only if the physical boundaries of the Eastern and Western could have been avoided. Having said that with the Appalachia Mountain Range surrounding the place makes West Virginia a great tourist attraction.